NCAA Tournament: The Madness Marches On

What a weekend in Indianapolis!  If Ohio State was a cat, they just used up about three of their lives on Friday and Saturday.

They defeated Michigan on an improbable 35 foot shot by Evan Turner (thanks Coach Beilein for not guarding the inbounds passer or trying to deny Turner the ball), and then going double OT with Illinois after trailing by double digits in the second half. 

Once again ET showed why he is the player of the year!  Turner not only hit the big shot to stick it to the Wolverines, but carried the Buckeyes in crunch time agaisnt the Illini.  It is never easy to defeat a good team three times in one year, but OSU accomplished that when they came back to down the men in orange. 

Honestly I had my doubts about Sunday's game, feeling the team would let down. Ohio State had already secured a number two seed and additionally was dealing with tired legs.  But it was Minnesota that appeared fatigued in the second half as David Lighty and Evan Turner displayed amazing spring in their steps and flat took it to the Gophers in dominating fashion.

What this squad lacks in depth they make up for in determination and if there was any doubt about who is the best team in the Big Ten this year, it was erased at Conseco Fieldhouse this past weekend. 

Now onto the NCAA tourney where the selection committee did the team no favors.  Since Kansas was named the No. 1 overall seed, why did OSU wind up in their bracket? Having established themselves as either the fifth or sixth best team in the nation, they deserved a better draw. 

However, long before thinking about the Jayhawks, OSU has plenty of business to attend to, including the unenviable task of taking on Georgetown and their beast of a post player in Greg Monroe. He has caused all kinds of matchup problems for several tournament teams. 

My personal thought is if Ohio State can make the elite eight (which will be difficult with their six man rotation), they could be a worse draw than Kansas.  I believe Kentucky, despite their youth, brings the most talent to the table, and their gigantic frontline would spell big problems for the undersized Bucks. 

So, rather than moan, I hope the team goes out with some hunger, after bowing out in the first round a year ago.  Regardless of what happens the next couple weekends this has been a special year. Ohio State has been marked with great coaching, tireless effort on the court, and true brilliance on the part of the Villain, Evan Turner. 

Hats off to the Buckeye hoopsters and good luck this Friday in Milwaukee.